The Sanctifying of Worldly Gifts

‘’ She brake the box.” — Mark xiv. 3.

IT is the alabaster box of ointment that is spoken of. I have often asked myself, zuhy did she break it? I can see why she poured out all the ointment; a heart so devoted could never have given to Jesus by halves. But why destroy the costly vessel that held it? Surely that was a thing she might have kept for herself? No, she could not. She had no use for it after Christ had been served. Love counts nothing a treasure which it cannot spend upon its object. When its object is anointed, all the wealth of Ophir is superfluous. This woman broke the costly thing, not because she was indifferent to money, but because the aim of her money was achieved. That aim was the anointing of Jesus. As long as Jesus was nut anointed she strove eagerly for this earthly treasure. I have no doubt she spent a long time in gathering for its purchase. Perhaps many said, “What a miser she is!” Measured by the eye, she might seem to have the greed of gold. But her gold only glittered in the light of Jesus. It was for Him she gathered; it was for Him she saved. She made rich for His anointing. When the anointing was complete, the gold lost jts glitter. Wealth ceased to have an object. She gave up gathering; she gave up saving. She had no interest in the alabaster -when it had served its purpose for Christ; she brake the box.

My brother, what gives thee a title to pray for worldly wealth? It is thy love for Christ — for humanity. I would bid thee aspire to the gifts of earth if I were sure they would be sought for Jesus. I would say, ‘’ Keep the alabaster box as long as there are weary feet to be anointed, as long as there are bruised hearts to be refreshed!” All such weary feet are His feet, all such bruised hearts are His heart; what thou doest to the least thou doest unto Him. Gather thy gifts for Him! The manger still holds the members of His body; the swaddling bands still wrap the Christ that is to be. Are there none from the east or from the west to bring gold or frankincense or myrrh? Are there none to sing songs of Bethlehem to those who watch by night — to cheer the sleepless invalid in the ward of pain? Are there none to take the persecuted child into Egypt — to find a house of refuge for those rejected by the world? Are there none to provide a home at Nazareth for the growth of the coming Jesus? Are there none to minister to the life that has been assailed in the wilderness of temptation? Would not the power be worth living for, worth praying for! Live for such wealth, pray for such wealth! Covet, for Christ’s sake, each gift of body, each gift of mind! Tune the harp for Him; train the voice for Him; twine the wreath for Him; plant the flower for Him; weave the garment for Him; keep thy hold on the world for Him! Break not the alabaster box till thou hast anointed Jesus!